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Broadcasting fee in the private sector register another apartment
Are you renting or buying a second or secondary residence? This must be registered with the contribution service.
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Basic information
If you rent or buy a second or secondary residence in addition to your existing home, you must register it with the Contribution Service. This also applies to vacation homes and caravans that are used exclusively for private purposes and that you use primarily on a fixed location.
In the private sector, the broadcasting fee is levied per apartment and does not depend on the type and number of broadcasting devices. The rule applies: one apartment - one fee.
Requirements
You have already registered an existing apartment.
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Procedure
You must register the additional apartment in writing with the relevant office. To do this, fill out the form provided. It is usually available at your municipality. You can download it from the Internet or register online.
More information
You must pay an additional broadcasting fee for a secondary residence.
There is no obligation to pay a contribution for a vacant apartment. The prerequisite is
- that it is not occupied by anyone,
- that there is no rental agreement for it and
- that no person is registered at the residents' registration office.
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Necessary Documents
- Please contact the responsible office.
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Competent Department
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ARD, ZDF, Deutschlandradio, Beitragsservice ARD ZDF Deutschlandradio Beitragsservice
- +49 1806 999 555 10
- Freimersdorfer Weg 6, 50829 Köln
- Website
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Fees / Costs
18,36 EUR Per apartment and month. You must pay the broadcasting contribution for 3 months at a time. The contribution service collects it in the middle of a three-month period.
6,12 EUR Reduced broadcasting fee. You must pay the broadcasting contribution for 3 months at a time. The contribution service collects it in the middle of a three-month period. -
Deadlines & processing time
What deadlines must be paid attention to?
The obligation to pay contributions begins on the first of the month in which you first occupy an apartment. This means that you live there, are registered there or are named as a tenant in the rental agreement.
This page has been automatically translated by DeepL. We cannot guarantee that the translation is correct.
The official information in German is complete and correct.
Updated on 23.09.2026